The Camerons of Timiskaming

The history, over several generations, of the Cameron family's connection to the fur trade at Fort Timiskaming, on the Quebec side of the upper reaches of the Ottawa River. Generations of the Camerons worked for both the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company. The author contends that "no other fur trade family is so completely identified with a particular district." The Scottish-born AEneas Cameron (1755-1822) was the first member of the family associated with Fort Timiskaming, arriving at the North West Company post in 1793 and staying until 1804. AEneas' nephew, the Scottish-born Angus Cameron (1782 or 1783-1876), arrived at Fort Timiskaming in 1801 and was associated with the fort until 1843. Another Angus Cameron, known as "young Angus", and a cousin of the elder Angus, spent a short time at the fort until his untimely death (either by drowning or murder) in 1825. In 1836, James Cameron, another nephew of the elder Angus, entered the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company, and went to Fort Timiskaming in 1847, becoming Chief Trader in 1849. He was accidently shot in 1849, and retired in 1850. He died in 1851. The author points out the names of other Camerons who, in succeeding years were employed, by the Hudson's Bay Company, a few of whom were stationed at Fort Timiskaming. Fort Timiskaming is now a National Historic Site of Canada.